Following our recent blog on the use of AI in the law, Tuesday 12 December saw the timely release of new AI guidance for the judiciary.  We have highlighted a few key points of interest from the issued guidance and have considered how this can help us to better hone our approach to generative AI use within private practice. While we continue to push for client efficiencies and explore the ways in which AI can contribute, it is important that we retain perspective and take proper care before harnessing AI in our day to day practice, especially as AI is being improved upon and developed almost daily.

A recent government report has highlighted solicitors as one of the occupations most exposed to AI applications. BCLP’s 2023 Arbitration Survey found that 37% of practitioners are already using AI tools for tasks such as document translations but also, 24% are using AI for document analysis. These reports are amongst a number of reports and surveys which are heralding the growing presence of generative AI within the legal sector. The way in which the legal sector is embracing generative AI is unsurprising for those at BCLP—as a firm, we have been an early adopter and strong proponent of using AI, as discussed in the recent Q&A blog with our in-house Forensic Technology team. In this blog, we explore the changing litigation landscape in the face of the rapid improvements to generative AI, and the strategic advantages and the potential benefits that businesses might gain should their legal advisors pursue associated opportunities.